Staten Island hit hardest by cuts in school bus service

The New York City Department of Education’s policy which denies grade 7 and 8 students yellow school bus service has a far greater negative effect on Staten Island students than the other boroughs of New York City. The following illustrates the lack of adequate public transportation:

Staten Island — 22 Local MTA bus routes, 1 train

Brooklyn — 55 Local MTA bus routes, 17 subway lines

Bronx — 39 Local MTA bus routes, 7 subway lines

Manhattan — 43 Local MTA bus routes, 24 subway lines

Queens — 40 Local MTA bus routes, 9 subway lines

District 31 is the largest geographical school district in New York City. District 31 has 57,469 Grade K-8 students enrolled, second only to District 2 in Manhattan with 58,529 K-8 students enrolled. Staten Island students live the greatest average distance from school, have the lowest availability of public transportation and contend with significantly more hazardous walking conditions than their counterparts in the other boroughs.

Yellow school bus service will improve student access to school and reduce traffic congestion by removing excess private vehicles from our roads. Most importantly, it will improve the safety of our children. [The writer is a member of Community Education Council 31, as well as co-chairman of their Transportation and Safety Committee.]